The Physiology of Schizophrenia
In today’s society the idea of mental illness has grown exponentially. To those who have various disorders, it might seem like the end of the world; however, some of these disorders can be managed quite well allowing the individual to live a somewhat normal and productive life. Mental illnesses range from childhood disorders such as ADHD all the way to disorders in the old age such as dementia. While some of these disorders are more severe than others, they all tend to impact an individual’s life in some way or in some form. One may begin asking himself how and why he has been affected by such disorders, and he can find some answers through his biological and psychological makeup. Biological factors
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For those with this disorder the symptoms may include hearing voices that are not there, believe that others are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, to even plotting to harm them. These symptoms have a terrifying effect on those with this illness making them withdrawn or even experience extreme agitation. Often those with Schizophrenia appear to make little to no sense when they are trying to communicate. These individuals can sit for hours without moving or even saying a word. Some times people with Schizophrenia seem perfectly normal until they begin talking about what they are truly thinking. We know today that over 3.5 million people or about one percent of the U.S. population suffers from this condition and estimates of over 24 million globally may be affected by this disease (NIH, 2015). While treatment is out there to help alleviate some of the symptoms that are associated with this condition, there’s no known cure for such a diseases; however advances are being made everyday within medicine to help treat those with Schizophrenia cope with their symptoms.
Because I have first hand knowledge of the effects through my mother who is currently diagnosed with this disorder, it resonates with me. She currently uses medication for the disorder and continues to seek and to receive counseling for it. Like all schizophrenics, there is no cure for this disorder there is only the ability to daily cope with the symptoms. As part of
By taking the time and educating ourselves, we are eliminating possible misconceptions about the illness. Working with people that have a mental disorder is the best way to understand how and why they act the way they do. While the cause of schizophrenia is still unknown, it is believed that both genetics and environmental factors play a role. Schizophrenia consists of five subtypes; paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual. Symptoms can range from hallucinations to delusions, and disorganized thinking. Since there is no cure for schizophrenia, treatment is aimed at controlling the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. By starting with a single antipsychotic medication and evaluating the efficacy in four to six weeks, they are able to determine if that medication will work or if they need to try a different one. Once they find out what works, they must adhere to it. Through improved public awareness society can break the pervasive stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illnesses that stand in the way of finding cures and help people with schizophrenia lead full lives they
Outline and evaluate one or more biological explanations of schizophrenia (8 marks AO1/16 marks AO1)
Schizophrenia is a unique disease in its pathophysiology. For their early lives, patients appear healthy. However, symptoms begin to appear during adolescence or early adulthood and may be triggered by changes in the brain during puberty. The first signs of the illness include anxiety, depression, changes in friends, sleep problems, irritability, dropping grades, and having trouble concentrating (Picchioni and Murray, 2007; National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)). Delusions and hallucinations typically begin between the ages of 16 and 30 (NIMH).
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder. It is also quite a complex illness that affects daily functioning of those who suffer from it. Professionals across several fields who treat schizophrenics do not share a consensus regarding the cause of schizophrenia, though there are a few theories regarding potential and definitive causes. The on-set of schizophrenia often takes place in adolescence and adulthood, but there are cases when there is childhood on-set schizophrenia. Schizophrenia in children will be the focus of this paper. Children who show signs of schizophrenia may begin doing so at around age five.
In the world today, there are many illnesses and disorders that affect people each and every day. One illness in particular that is very big in the US and all around the world is Schizophrenia. It is also the most researched topic. A person who is diagnosed with Schizophrenia lives a very different lifestyle than someone who is not. Many people would consider a person with schizophrenia to be “crazy.” Sadly enough, people with this illness do posses symptoms that might come off as crazy or insane. There are many different causes that come along with schizophrenia. A person who is diagnosed may not know it at first but they do later realize that they have some interesting thoughts, depending on the type of symptoms they posses while having this illness. Although the symptoms may be very brutal and causes cannot be controlled, there still is hope and treatments for individuals who have schizophrenia.
It affects how a individuals think, feels, and behavior (Hall, 2013). According to The National Institute of Mental Health (2016) in ones’ lifetime, out of one thousand, 7 or 8 individuals will have schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is described by psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, flattened affect, cognitive deficits and occupational and social dysfunction (Hall, 2013). The cause of schizophrenia is unknown (Hall, 2013). Individuals suffering from schizophrenia will only experience one episode and for the remaining of their lives they are able to control it; within two years, majority of individuals’ symptoms will relapse; many individuals will always have symptoms and never be free of them while others will continue to be resistant to treatment (Hall,
Schizophrenia is characterized as a psychotic disease that dramatically affects one 's nervous system to a point of where every day basic functions can be inhibited. It is defined as the loss of contact with the external environment the person is in due to delusional thoughts and hallucinations. Perception and behavior of someone plagued with this disease is notably altered and their actions can become a concern of the people around them. Like many other diseases that affect the nervous system it is not curable at the current time but it can be treated to lessen the signs and symptoms of the disease.
The general public increasingly attributes mental disorders to biological causes such as a chemical imbalance or inherited genes (Schnittker, 2008; Schomerus et al., 2012).
Schizophrenia is a disease of the mind. It effects all races and ages. There are many dugs that can help treat Schizophrenia, but there is no cure for it. People that suffer from Schizophrenia can be helped by receiving psychological treatments along with a strong support group.
This paper defines schizophrenia from a biological and psychological perspective and also provides treatment to help combat symptoms of schizophrenia. This paper has three important contributions. First, by defining and expanding on schizophrenia from a biological perspective, I can identify the nature related predispositions. After expanding from a biological approach, secondly, I will analyze schizophrenia from a psychological aspect by determining if there is any environment or nurturing externals that can result to schizophrenia. Lastly, I will provide treatment details and also reveal early signs to schizophrenia. This paper is important because schizophrenia is an epic mental disease and it is crucially important to bring awareness to the public of how we can limit the illness. It is unclear whether schizophrenia have only a biological background or psychological background, but what was discovered is that both contribute to schizophrenia. Positive and negative treatment can be combatted undergoing pharmaceutical and psychotherapy,
In many ways, Schizophrenia is a coping disease. Despite countless clinical trials and research studies, the root cause remains unknown. Nobody knows how to cure this chronic psychosis. Antipsychotics are the only line of medication proven to treat symptoms. Anyone who gets Schizophrenia must learn to cope with the disease itself as well as harmful side-effects from antipsychotic drugs.
Schizophrenia is a life-long disorder that affects about one percent of the population (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). The cause of this mental illness is still unclear. Studies have suggested that Schizophrenia does not arise from one factor but from a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors (Liddle, 1987). People diagnosed with Schizophrenia struggle to deal with a multitude of symptoms that make it difficult to function (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). Antipsychotic medications are a popular treatment of the symptoms of Schizophrenia (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). Research is constantly being done to develop these medications to enhance the quality of life of those diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects millions of people and it should not be underestimated or ignored.
Hallucinations, delusions and dysfunctional thoughts are all signs of the chronic and severe mental illness called Schizophrenia. Psych Central (2016), states scientist belief genes play a role in the diagnoses of Schizophrenia. While one gene is not specifically responsible, numerous genes are. Treatments include injections and medications taken by mouth (usually pill or liquid form). It is also recommended to go to talk therapy and even family therapy, so the individual feels like they are being understood by their loved ones. Schizophrenia can be detected in early childhood or they might become Schizophrenic later in life. Early warning signs include a change in personality, hygiene and appearance. Individuals can also develop an extreme
Approximately 22% of the American population suffers from some kind of mental disorder at any given time. (Passer and Smith, 2004) Schizophrenia is one of the most serious of these mental disorders, and there are many different kinds of treatment. While all mental disorders offer diagnosis and treatment challenges, few are more challenging than schizophrenia. It is both bizarre and puzzling, and has been described as “one of the most challenging disorders to treat effectively.” (Passer and Smith, 2004, 534)